bmendez
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What Connector does sds100 use is it a sma male
SDS100/SDS200: What Connector does sds100 use
- Thread starter bmendez
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The connector on the scanner itself is SMA female. On the SDS100, the antenna connector is recessed somewhat into the case, so a standard BNC Female -> SMA Male does not fit correctly. (It's recessed to maintain water-resistance.) Use either the adapter that came with the scanner, order a replacement (or extra) from one of the dealers, or order the one jonwienke sells on his website. He might have an add posted in the classifieds as well.
bmendez
Member
So I needed an apsater for sma male to sma female
No.
The stock antenna has an SMA male end, which attaches to the SMA female connector on the scanner.
Most of the SMA antennas you see listed on dealer sites are a standard SMA male, which works on the 436HP scanner, and older units like the 396T & 396XT. That does not work, as is, on the SDS100, since the connector on the scanner is recessed to maintain water resistance integruty.
This specific antenna has a smaller end around the SMA connector, and an o-ring to prevent water entry.
What are you trying to use on your SDS100? I have that antenna linked above for use around the city where almost every system is a 700 or 800MHz trunked system.
I use the SDS100 specific BNC female to SMA male when I want to use one of my other handheld antennas (the majority of which are BNC) or one of the antennas used on my SUV, which also are BNC,
The stock antenna has an SMA male end, which attaches to the SMA female connector on the scanner.
Most of the SMA antennas you see listed on dealer sites are a standard SMA male, which works on the 436HP scanner, and older units like the 396T & 396XT. That does not work, as is, on the SDS100, since the connector on the scanner is recessed to maintain water resistance integruty.
This specific antenna has a smaller end around the SMA connector, and an o-ring to prevent water entry.
SMA SDS100 800MHz REMTRONIX Portable Antenna | ScannerMaster.com
SMA SDS100 800MHz REMTRONIX Portable Antenna
www.scannermaster.com
What are you trying to use on your SDS100? I have that antenna linked above for use around the city where almost every system is a 700 or 800MHz trunked system.
I use the SDS100 specific BNC female to SMA male when I want to use one of my other handheld antennas (the majority of which are BNC) or one of the antennas used on my SUV, which also are BNC,
bmendez
Member
Mine is ndxn system which is vhf mode trucked radio system
TailGator911
Silent Key/KF4ANC
I can vouch for the jonweinke adapter, as I purchased one. Excellent work and service from him. Better than the stock adapter, to be sure.
bmendez
Member
Where can I get one
for jonweinke's adapter, it's under accessories on his website.
ScannerMaster lists an SMA Female to SMA Male adapter that will let you use other SMA antennas on the SDS100.
SMA Male to SMA Female Connector | Scanner Master
SMA Male to SMA Female Connector
www.scannermaster.com
This is the adapter, for the SDS100, that let's you use BNC antennas. It's got a smaller end, so that it will seat correctly on the recessed SMA female connector on the scanner.
Uniden Bearcat SMA to BNC - SDS100 | Scanner Master
Uniden Bearcat SMA to BNC - SDS100
www.scannermaster.com
The adapter that ships with the SDS100 attaches to the scanner (SMA) and converts to a BNC connector. Any BNC antenna or cable now will attach to the SDS100. I believe Uniden’s intent was to allow for attaching an outside antenna at home , using a BNC connector. But it would have been nice if Uniden supplied both the existing adaptor AND one that was simply an extension... a one piece (no swivel junction) SMA male to SMA female, just enough to clear the ridge around the radio’s connecton. That way any aftermarket SMA antenna would not be restricted by that ridge around the connector on the radio. To date, I have not found a solid , one piece adapter that does this, leading me to believe no such adaptor exists. My intent going forward is to remove that restricting ridge around the antenna port by filing or cutting down that restrictive ridge. Moisture resistance may still be accomplished with a gasket if moisture resistance is a concern but I don’t take my SDS100 in the shower or for walks in the rain! I believe Uniden used an existing radio case designed for their marine division in an effort to save on production costs.
One exists - it is BNC, but it is a good solution:
Jon's adaptor... It snugs up tight to that "ridge" you mention above, giving the connection some protection. MUCH better solution than to Dremel the ridge off of the radio!
In the interest of keeping the use of adapters at a minimum, ideally, a single adapter that is merely an extension of the SMA connection would be the answer. Too bad they don’t exist, at least I haven’t found one. Using a dremel too isn't the way to remove or lower the ridge. It’s a power tool and if not careful, will generate enough heat to melt or deform the plastic ridge and possibly the case. I’m playing with the idea of using a hand file while the radio is secured in place. Many slow strokes with a rasp file should make for a clean job.
Really... Did you look at the first link in post #8...
Yea, really... Read my discriptuon of what I was looking for. Scanner Master does not sell a solid, one piece adapter as I described. In fact, they too went looking for a solid, no moving parts, nothing swivels, adapter like the SMA/BNC adapter Uniden includes with the radio and found nothing. I have one of their SMA/SMA adapters. It’s a two piece, crimped-together (which makes it a one piece) arrangement that swivels. Many are happy with it but I have found it’s that crimped joint that weakens over time unless it sits permanently on a desk somewhere. I use my SDS100 as a handheld portable radio. Its that portability that subjects most handhelds to the minor amount of jostling around which will stress a crimped connection and cause it to break eventually.
But thanks for looking at it... just wish you were correct.
But thanks for looking at it... just wish you were correct.
The Diamond BNCJ-SMAP adapter is "one-piece", but it's base is probably too large in diameter to properly attach to the SDS100.
I found some BNC to SMA adapters at the Dayton Hamvention years ago that were "one-piece", but I've not seen them since. The ones I got have a small diameter and fit the SDS100 just fine.
That said, the reason you don't find many "one-piece" SMA adapters is that's not the way the SMA connector is intended to be used. On an SMA adapter or connector where the entire body rotates as you attach the adapter/connector, the center pin is also rotating and that's not good. The friction as the pin rotates could damage the pin or the female socket. An SMA adapter/connector is supposed to be held in place while the nut is turned on the threads. And, if you are doing it correctly, you use a little torque wrench to make sure the nut is properly tightened. This is all very important if you are using an SMA in the gigahertz range. Probably less important at VHF or UHF.
I found some BNC to SMA adapters at the Dayton Hamvention years ago that were "one-piece", but I've not seen them since. The ones I got have a small diameter and fit the SDS100 just fine.
That said, the reason you don't find many "one-piece" SMA adapters is that's not the way the SMA connector is intended to be used. On an SMA adapter or connector where the entire body rotates as you attach the adapter/connector, the center pin is also rotating and that's not good. The friction as the pin rotates could damage the pin or the female socket. An SMA adapter/connector is supposed to be held in place while the nut is turned on the threads. And, if you are doing it correctly, you use a little torque wrench to make sure the nut is properly tightened. This is all very important if you are using an SMA in the gigahertz range. Probably less important at VHF or UHF.
Well stated. Short of wave guides (we aren’t quite there yet), I have no issue with either type of connector used for antennas because, as you stated, at VHF/UHF /UUHF frequencies, either connector should suffice. I only wish Uniden would pick one and stay with it. Instead, they’ve gone from BNC to SMA back to BNC, it seems with each new release! Of course, we wouldn’t be having this conversation but for that restricting ridge around the antenna connection on the SDS100.
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Unless it was designed for the SDS100, it probably will not work.
There are several vendors who sell the one-piece adapters that will work. Google "SDS100 BNC adapter".
(and make sure they say it is made for the SDS100)
Joe Bearcat; Thanks for the input but Google SDS100 SMA/SMA instead, as this is the question at hand. Uniden already supplies the SDS100 BNC adapter with the radio. It’s a small point but as it is an offshoot of the original subject, it relates. I am still wondering why Uniden chooses to use both SMA and BNC on their handheld scanners. The BCD436HP is an SMA, as is the SDS100. But then they come out with the 325P2 and revert back to the BNC. Any idea why?
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I was responding to AK9R's comments about SMA-BNC. That's why I commented about those adapters and the availability of same.
Why are some BNC? Design and size. The SMA was used on units that did not have the room for a BNC (396 series). Several units like the 325 were designed pre-SMA, so they still use a BNC. No reversions were made.
Why are some BNC? Design and size. The SMA was used on units that did not have the room for a BNC (396 series). Several units like the 325 were designed pre-SMA, so they still use a BNC. No reversions were made.
ScannerMaster isn't the first link in post #8. It's actually the second...
Thanks Joe. It sounds like connector types are chosen based on available space constraints. But that reasoning only works when a BNC connector won’t fit but an SMA will. With the BCD325P2 where there is plenty of room, they could have used an SMA. But that radio’s case is probably the same case design as other pervious radios that sported BNC connectors? So they used an existing case which just happened to already be designed for BNC?
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